This one we didn't make. It was put together by SuperNova Digital Productions. It was filmed at the Away 26 launch. It makes it all look very exciting, even more than I even remember it being. It goes to show what folks can do with video when they know what their doing.

I just this moment was having another look into your blog and saw the photo of the Dark Sky Station Two with the rocket launch box.

Might it be a good business idea or research idea for JP Aerospace to test the Isps of usual propellants at the operational altitude of DSSs? The Isps should be higher at that altitude and might get you customers of the microsat and nanosat segment perhpas.

But more essential regarding the future of commercial and personal space flight: What do you suppose the maximum weight of a rocket to be that can be launched from future DSSs?

Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

EDIT: When arriving at home an idea came to my mind that might be more interesting: What about making the launch box removable and offere high altitude engine tests to SpaceX, Air Launch LLC, Scaled Composites and others? Something like static fire for second stages or their engines at least could be offered and the like.

What about in some years constructing huge but light object for space and then launching them to space by vehicle designed similar to ARCA's Stabilo?

Unfortunately most of the industry thinks balloons are evil and won't have anything to do with them. I've sat at meetings where millions of dollars are contemplated for a suborbital flight with a rocket when balloons are doing the same mission already for a fraction of the cost. They will spend the big dollars because they fear balloon work will hurt their careers.

We have a weather opening this weekend and are heading out for Away 29 and 30. Wish us luck!

Considering that one of the really big potential attractions for the Airship to Orbit concept is the possibility of dramatically lowering the cost per pound to orbit, do you guys have any idea what it would take to build a demonstration setup capable of getting to orbit? Maybe a single person system? Would it be possible to use the Ascender pictured on the home page? Seems like you guys are pretty close to being able to put together a demonstration set that gets to orbit.

Yeah would be nice to see a full flown demonstration!
What about teeming up with other organisations to speed up progress?
I know it was mentioned on the starchaser site that they should build a giant rocket and use something from "bristol space planes" to have a plane fly off the top. Advertising to people that here is a demonstration of our main ship, you pay us a load of cash and we will fly your ship off the top cheaper?
Man, i get carried away in my head!
Rob G

what do you think about the idea of a smaller ATO that could be used as a Pixel (Armadillo Aerospace) for Mars? It wouldn't need the tanks for LOX and Ethanol and it wouldn't need to be capable of interplanetary or orbital flights.

Supposed there were a Martian Lander Competition under the Centennial Challenges program conducted at the XPRIZE CUP - would you participate?

Interesting interview on the space show, pity you couldn't say more about the type of ion egine you'll be using and the thrust levels you are expecting to produce. Because I'm in the UK I downloaded it from their archive yesterday.

IMO its much more interesting to hear people speak about something (especially when the speaker is genuinely enthusiastic about the subject) rather than read an article, perhaps you could make some short videos with comentary on different aspects of the orbital airship project for people to download from your website?

Andy

_________________A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.